Easy Homemade Baby Food Recipes

A Guide to a Baby’s First Foods

Written by Becky

There is so much excitement over each new change in a baby’s first year.  One of my favorites new stages so far has been starting Everett on solid foods.  It was even fun researching what should be a baby’s first foods?? As someone in the food industry, I’ve been asked many times, “Are you going to make your own baby food?”  I really didn’t  know what would go into making homemade baby food or creating baby food recipes but it was definitely something I wanted to explore.  As it turns out, making your own baby food is easy, like ridiculously easy, I don’t even think I can justify saying I make homemade baby food.  A more honest answer is – I mash up food and feed it to Everett, or occasionally I stick a half avocado and a tiny spoon in my purse so I can give Everett food on the go.  Today, I’m here to tell you – You can do it – Make your own baby food, and here’s how…

Baby's First Solid Foods

The first foods to start with are these:

avocado – mash and serve

sweet potato – bake, remove skins, mash and serve

banana – mash and serve

rice cereal – try Nature’s Best or make your own (more on that soon!)

Then try these:

carrots – steam organic peeled carrots until soft, drain, mash or puree then serve

peas – steam frozen organic shelled peas until soft, drain, mash or puree then serve

pears – steam until soft, mash or puree then serve

green beans – steam fresh green beans until soft, drain, mash or puree then serve

Baby's first foods

Now you’re starting to get the idea.  You’re going to become good at mashing and the blender is your new bff.  Here are some recommended products for pureeing – Baby Food Mill, Immersion Blender, Classic Blender.   My favorie resource for baby food is Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron.  She explains all about when to start feeding your baby, what to feed him, and how much/ how often.  Here’s a quick reference guide

When to start: Start feeding solid foods at 6 months or when your baby has doubled their birth weight.

What to start with: Start with avocado, then move to sweet potatoes and bananas (stick to the same food for 4 days to make sure there is no allergy)

How much and when to feed: Feed your baby twice a day (mid- morning and mid- afternoon) about 1 -2 tablespoons.  Let the baby eat as much as they’re hungry for.  The amount will slowly increase to about the size of a jar of baby food.

Baby's first foods

Naturally, when you make a batch of sweet potatoes, or peas you’re going to end up with more than a weeks worth so I put half of the puree into a jar in the fridge then freeze the other half in ice cube trays (freeze then remove to a freezer safe bag).  To defrost just stick the cubes in a jar in the fridge over night and they should be thawed by the next day. This batch should last you a few weeks (alternating meals with fresh bananas and avocado too).

Baby food recipes

Most of all have fun!  It’s okay to let your little one play with their food – then they’ll enjoy eating even more!  Take photos and enjoy every new change that comes!!

If you’re looking for an online guide for Baby Led Weaning, check out this great blog post from Simple Bites!

Comments (18)

  1. I did the ice cube tray thing too! I also got some extra small tupperware-like containers and, if I had to go someplace, I would toss a food cube or two in, and then put it in my bag. A couple hours later when it was meal time, they were melted/thawed and ready to eat.

  2. Babies need nutritious food that are essential for their normal growth and brain development. Homemade recipes are safer compared to the ones that we can bought from the grocery or market. We should really spend time in preparing our babies’ foods.

  3. This is so wonderful to see. We made all of our daughters food and I truly believe it is the main reason she loves so many foods today. Have fun!!

  4. I love watching this sweet grow up. Such stunning eyes!!

    I have to agree with previous comments that after making our own girls’ baby food (usually just whatever we were eating, mashed/processed and before I added salt) I think it’s the reason they enjoy so many different tastes. Miss you!

  5. I’m looking for some baby food recipes for my little boy and happen to visit your blog. All those tips are very useful, thanks!

    I don’t usually cook at home but would like to make a change. I always have doubt about those baby food in supermarkets and think that it would be healthier if I can make my own.

    • I felt the same way – a little hesitant about the processed foods for a new baby. And I promise it really is easy to make your own. Make it in bulk and freeze a lot! Let me know if you have any questions along the way!

  6. Thank you so much for all the information, recipes, and resources. I really enjoy your work, my son is still 3 months shy of solids but I love to research. So far, hands down I love your apple sauce and rice cereal. Thank you for taking the time to share with us.

  7. I have been searching the internet for ideas on homemade baby food and found several. I’m glad to see that lots of people are making their own. I couldn’t imagine the store bought stuff going into my little Jo’s tummy. Shelf life of that stuff is 3 years!

  8. Hello there – I was wondering, would it be a good idea to mix in some breastmilk with any of the veggies or fruit that I puree? I don’t think there would be harm to it, but wanted to see if I was thinking crazy or if anyone else out there has done this…

    • Georgia, I think its a great idea! I would try it first with the homemade rice cereal or maybe with mashed banana. I didn’t do this but I’ve heard of plenty of moms who have!

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